California Bill Requires Social Media Warning Labels

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has introduced a bill (AB 56) that would mandate social media platforms to display warning labels about the mental health risks associated with their use by children and teenagers. This initiative, supported by Assembly member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, aims to combat the rising mental health crisis among youth, including increased rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide linked to social media usage. The proposed 'black box warning' would be shown to new users for 90 seconds and then reappear weekly. Bonta highlighted the reluctance of social media companies to address these issues, focusing instead on profit-driven features. This legislation follows a lawsuit against TikTok for its allegedly harmful designs and a broader call for federal protections against online harassment and exploitation of minors. The Surgeon General has also expressed concerns about the impact of social media on youth mental health, noting a correlation between its use and rising suicide rates among adolescents.